New Products & Services

[vodacom3g]

I'll try and update this post everytime relevant, new products are launched:

1) BlackBerry PrePaid: You can now get the BlackBerry service on pre-paid for R59 / month. Basically uncapped (with AUP) data usage on the device.

 

[vodacom3g]

bump - BlackBerry Prepaid added

 

[Iam3G]

My colleague has a i-Mate Jasjam with Blackberry Connect and he activated the Prepaid BIS VAS.

He can browse for free, but everything he else he does, like downloading or streaming media he still pays for? AFAIK, if you're on the Blackberry Contract with the BIS activated, with either BB Connect or the Blackberry Smartphone you have unlimted usage to anything on the Device.

Why is he still paying?

 

[ic]

My colleague has a i-Mate Jasjam with Blackberry Connect and he activated the Prepaid BIS VAS.

He can browse for free, but everything he else he does, like downloading or streaming media he still pays for? AFAIK, if you're on the Blackberry Contract with the BIS activated, with either BB Connect or the Blackberry Smartphone you have unlimted usage to anything on the Device.

Why is he still paying?

Perhaps his phone is routing that other traffic through a different APN...

 

[Alacrity]

Can we use our Talking points for data bundles now?

 

[vodacom3g]

Can we use our Talking points for data bundles now?

I've put it in as a product request a while ago, but have not seen a formal product announcement yet. So I guess the quick answer is; Not yet.

 

[mooey1232003]

Could i use the BB APN with a nokia n70 if i sign up for BlackBerry PrePaid?

 

[Iam3G]

Could i use the BB APN with a nokia n70 if i sign up for BlackBerry PrePaid?

No you cant.

 

[BeVonk!]

Vodacom3G,

will we see the Blackberry Storm in SA soon? It seems to be an exclusive Vodafone product.

 

[vodacom3g]

Vodacom3G,

will we see the Blackberry Storm in SA soon? It seems to be an exclusive Vodafone product.

Yes, was designed specifically for Vodafone. According to the BB country Manager, the Storm should be available early in the new year, so let's assume end-Feb / March timeframe.

I've been playing with one and my order in in!

 

[Ghost02]

So if you have a blackberry device and purchase this service you have unlimited browsing and downloading from that device? Or is it just browsing?

 

[RichardG]

and can one connect the black berry to the computer and still browse for free and download.

 

[vodacom3g]

and can one connect the black berry to the computer and still browse for free and download.

Nope, only ON the device.

The BB APN was designed (by RIM) to not be a modem.

 

[Ghost02]

Nope, only ON the device.

The BB APN was designed (by RIM) to not be a modem.

And my question?

 

[vodacom3g]

And my question?

Same answer, you can download TO the device, like in installing an application, but I seriously doubt you'll be able to download a file and then copy it off the device.

 

[BeVonk!]

Yes, was designed specifically for Vodafone. According to the BB country Manager, the Storm should be available early in the new year, so let's assume end-Feb / March timeframe.

I've been playing with one and my order in in!

Glad to hear it's coming our way ... worth waiting for. Will be interesting to see where Vodacom will position this device seeing that the iPhone is also an exclusive product aimed at the higher income sector. Personally I hope it will not slot in above the iPhone because then I can forget about it.

 

[BeVonk!]

Blackberry Storm ... the comments on GSM Arena are very negative and one guy even mentioned that a new version will come out in May 2009 (with wi-fi and other improvements). If true then Vodacom should wait with the local release until June/July.

 

[wheunis]

Nope, only ON the device.

The BB APN was designed (by RIM) to not be a modem.

Seeing as I consider Vodacom to be a world-class mobile provider...
When will Vodacom be offering the additional tethering as modem unlimited packages?

Example:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/blackberry-personal-plans.jsp

(use zip code 78734 if asked, doesnt really matter, just using an exmaple of one provider's package)

 

[vodacom3g]

Seeing as I consider Vodacom to be a world-class mobile provider...
When will Vodacom be offering the additional tethering as modem unlimited packages?

Example:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/blackberry-personal-plans.jsp

(use zip code 78734 if asked, doesnt really matter, just using an exmaple of one provider's package)

You know the story of the cost of bandwidth in SA vs. the US.

But looking at the package you linked to, it gives you the first 5GB for R650 rand and then R2/MB after that!

In SA (with massively more expensive data), you pay R989 for the first 5GB but then you pay 19c/MB after that, 10 times less than the US price plan you linked.

So if you go slightly over the 5GB limit, you're much better off with the SA price-plan.

And you're even worse off with their normal BB package. With AT&T you pay R350 and R2/MB for international data. In SA you pay R69 for everything.

So unless I'm completely missing something, the AT&T plan is much more expensive than Vodacom.

 

[fismail]

Using a BlackBerry device as a modem (you'll have to add it as a standard 33600 modem - provided you've 1st installed the BlackBerry Desktop Manager software which you launch 1st and then install the "modem" on the com port that matches the RIM virtual port)

The following string which has the APN set in it is usually <+cgdcont=1,"IP","internet">

Setting it to the BB apn won't make it work any faster anyways and the speed is your usual 115.2 kpbs indicated on Windows.

Like anything including the E90 , these superfast HSDPA speeds are enjoyed by the device itself and NOT anything connected to it (where the device acts as a gateway / modem / router)

You can try all the tricks , without a hack of the firmware , connecting your computer via that usb cable to a HSDPA capable cellular device will NOT allow your computer to enjoy that connection speed unless its a Linksys or similar router that is designed for just that function.

I've tried this on my E71 , on my E90 , on my test BlackBerry 8100 and on a Blackberry Bold and I don't get higher than 33.6k.

Please manage your expectations and do research before you use this criteria to cement your decision for a specific device.

Same answer, you can download TO the device, like in installing an application, but I seriously doubt you'll be able to download a file and then copy it off the device.